New Report Ranks 225 Major Companies on Their Response to the Crisis of Plastic Packaging Pollution
Despite big commitments, no clear leaders found in the Plastic Promises Scorecard
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Sophia Wilson, [email protected], (341) 600-1832
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA—JUNE 12, 2024—Today, As You Sow, in partnership with Ubuntoo, an environmental solutions platform, released their “2024 Plastic Promises Scorecard” ranking 225 global companies across 15 industries on their ambition and actions to reduce plastic packaging pollution. One major finding of the report is the significant gap between companies’ stated plastic reduction commitments and actions taken to meet those commitments.
Corporations have a vital role to play in tackling the plastic pollution crisis at its source. International plastic treaty negotiations and new extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws demonstrate a shifting regulatory environment that holds manufacturers financially accountable for producing waste. According to a recent study, corporations with branded plastic pollution found in waterways also face a financial and competitive risk, not to mention damaging their brand equity with consumers, for failing to reduce their plastics use or make meaningful progress on their plastic pollution commitments. Tangible actions to meet corporate commitments are necessary.
“Companies can use the recommendations and scoring methodology in the Plastic Promises Scorecard to prepare for a future where plastic packaging pollution is no longer an acceptable part of doing business,” said Kelly McBee, lead author of the report and circular economy manager at As You Sow. “This report is designed to be actionable and transparent, giving companies the tools and solutions they need to create a circular economy for plastic.”
The 225 companies were evaluated on their actions and ambition across the following six pillars to prevent plastic pollution. Key findings in each pillar include:
Recyclability: Most companies have recyclability goals but are likely to miss targets. Only 22 of 147 companies with recyclability goals are on track to meet their targets because most packaging fails to align with what American communities have the capability and capacity to recycle in practice and at scale. (Report p. 7)
Reduction: Companies are using more plastic, despite reduction goals. One hundred companies pledged to use less virgin plastic, yet almost all are committed to replacing virgin plastic with recycled plastic rather than reducing their plastic use overall. (pp. 9-10)
Recycled Content: Most companies have recycled content goals, but don’t invest in infrastructure to facilitate recycling. Of the 225 companies, 145 have a goal to utilize recycled content. However, there is not enough recycled content supply to meet demand due to a lack of corporate investments in packaging collection and recycling. (pp. 11-12)
Recovery: Few companies have goals to ensure packaging never becomes waste. Nine companies (4%) have set quantitative, timebound goals to collect packaging for recycling or keep waste out of the environment. (pp. 13-14)
Reusable: Corporate commitments focus on reuse pilot programs, not adoption. While 43 companies are piloting reusables, but few have integrated reusables as a permanent part of product delivery. (pp. 15-16)
Extended Producer Responsibility: More corporations are supporting producer responsibility legislation. Nearly 20% earned the top score of “5” for publicly supporting EPR and voluntarily contributing financial resources for end-of-life packaging collection and recycling. Five U.S. States have recently adopted EPR laws. (pp. 16-17)
“Plastic Promises Scorecard uses a first-of-its-kind scoring system to evaluate not just what companies say they will do to act on the plastics crisis, but what they have actually accomplished,” said Venky Kini, data lead and report partner. “We are pleased to present this tool for companies to evaluate their progress against their peers and identify opportunities for new action and ambition.”
Shareholders have also been supportive of companies adopting more sustainable packaging practices highlighted in this report:
54% of independent shareholders at Hershey supported the company considering how to support a circular economy for packaging at its end-of-life;
40% of independent shareholders at Restaurant Brands International supported an As You Sow proposal calling on the company to reduce its contribution to ocean plastics pollution; and
33% of independent shareholders at Amazon supported a proposal asking the company to consider how it can make all packaging curbside recyclable, reusable, or compostable.
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As You Sow is the nation’s leading shareholder representative, with a 30-year track record promoting environmental and social corporate responsibility and advancing values-aligned investing. Its issue areas include climate change, ocean plastics, toxins in the food system, biodiversity, racial justice, and workplace diversity. Click here to view As You Sow’s shareholder resolution tracker.